Wrap around garment

ABSTRACT

A wrap-around garment comprising three arm holes or sleeves, a first arm hole or sleeve, a second arm hole or sleeve, and a third arm hole sleeve are described. The second arm hole or sleeve may be disposed between the first arm hole or sleeve and the third arm hole or sleeve. When the wrap-around garment may be removably worn by a wearer, the wearer&#39;s first arm is removably received into both the first arm hole or sleeve and the third arm hole or sleeve at a same time, while the wearer&#39;s second arm is removably received into the second arm hole or sleeve. In this wearing configuration the wrap-around garment may be a dress, with regions of the wrap-around garment covering portions of the wearer&#39;s front and back. In another wearing configuration, the wrap-around garment may be worn as an apron. No external fasteners are required.

PRIORITY NOTICE

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/548,889 filed on Aug. 22, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to garments and more specifically to wrap-around garments that may be removably secured to wearer without external or mechanical fasteners and to wrap-around garments that may be removably converted into at least two different wearing configurations for different functional purposes.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people find themselves frequently moving between activities for which protective clothing is useful, such as activities performed at home, in a workshop or studio activities, to other activities for which more formal clothing is suited, such as shopping, meetings, picking up a child from school, and the like. It is often burdensome to change from protective clothing to such formal clothing or vice versa for such different types of activities. Protective clothing might be an apron or smock; whereas, such formal clothing may be a dress or dress like garment.

There is a need in the art for a single garment that may be readily, quickly, and easily converted from an apron or smock like wearing configuration to a dress like wearing configuration, and vice versa.

Additionally, it may be desirable if such a garment may be converted into such at least two different wearing configurations without requiring the need for any external for any mechanical fasteners to removably secure such a garment to the wearer.

It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention describes a wrap-around garment comprising three arm holes or sleeves, a first arm hole or sleeve, a second arm hole or sleeve, and a third arm hole sleeve. In some embodiments, the second arm hole or sleeve may be disposed between the first arm hole or sleeve and the third arm hole or sleeve. When the wrap-around garment may be removably worn by a wearer, the wearer's first arm may be removably received into both the first arm hole or sleeve and the third arm hole or sleeve at a same time, while the wearer's second arm may be removably received into the second arm hole or sleeve. In this wearing configuration the wrap-around garment may be a dress (or substantially dress like), with regions of the wrap-around garment covering portions of the wearer's front and back (e.g., a first-region/panel and a second-region/panel). In another wearing configuration, the wrap-around garment may be worn as an apron, with no regions/panels of the wrap-around garment covering the wearer's back. In either wearing configuration, no external fasteners are required to removably secure the wrap-around garment to the wearer.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the wrap-around garment (100) may have first (110), second (120) and third (130) panels of material, where the first and third panels are connected to the second panel. A first arm hole (112) may be formed in the first panel, a second arm hole (122) may be formed between the first panel and the second panel, and a third arm hole (132) may be formed between the second panel and the third panel.

In some embodiments, the wearer removably places their left arm through the first arm hole (112) and their right arm through the second arm hole (122) with the first panel (110) being positioned on a back side of the wearer's body. The second panel (120) is wrapped (folded) across a front side of the wearer's body and the wearer's left arm may be inserted through the third arm hole (132) to secure the wrap-around garment to the wearer's body. The third panel (130) may drape (and/or hang) across a portion of wearer's back and/or side.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be worn in at least two different wearing configurations.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be worn in at least two different wearing configurations; wherein converting between such two different wearing configurations may be done quickly, easily, and/or efficiently.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be worn in at least two different wearing configurations; wherein converting between such two different wearing configurations may be done quickly, easily, and/or efficiently and without any external tools, such as external fasteners, like a belt.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be worn in at least two different wearing configurations; wherein converting between such two different wearing configurations may be done quickly, easily, and/or efficiently and without any external tools, such as mechanical fasteners, like a zipper, a button, a snap, Velcro, and/or the like.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be worn in at least two different wearing configurations so as to serve two different functions.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be worn in at least two different wearing configurations so as to serve two different functions, such as a protective garment and a formal garment.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be worn in at least two different wearing configurations so as to serve two different functions, such as a protective garment (e.g., an apron, smock, or the like) and a formal garment (e.g., a dress or the like).

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be worn in at least two different wearing configurations without the need for any external fasteners to removably secure the garment to the wearer.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be worn in at least two different wearing configurations without the need for any mechanical fasteners to removably secure the garment to the wearer.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment with at least three regions.

It is another objective of the present invention with three panels.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a single garment that may have three separate and distinct arm holes or sleeves.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect to how to practice the present invention and how to make the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1A may be a schematic diagram depicting a wrap-around garment.

FIG. 1B may depict an interior-surface of the wrap-around garment of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C may depict the wrap-around garment of FIG. 1A from an external view of the second-panel (second-region).

FIG. 1D may depict the wrap-around garment of FIG. 1A from an external view of the second-panel (second-region) with an optional decorative belt.

FIG. 1E may depict an interior-surface of the wrap-around garment of FIG. 1A showing three arm holes.

Note that the same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and figures to reference like components and features.

REFERENCE NUMERAL SCHEDULE

-   100 wrap-around garment 100 -   110 first-panel 110 -   112 first arm hole or sleeve 112 -   116 first slit pocket 116 -   118 first-seam 118 -   120 second-panel 120 -   122 second arm hole or sleeve 122 -   128 second-seam 128 -   130 third-panel 130 -   132 third arm hole or sleeve 132 -   136 second slit pocket 136 -   138 interior-surface 138 -   140 decorative belt 140

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention may be a wrap-around garment that does not require fasteners. In some embodiments, the wrap-around garment may transition from an apron (or a smock) configuration to a dress configuration, and with no external fasteners. In some embodiments, such a garment may ease a transition from an in-home activity, which often benefits from an apron or smock, to outside dress with no fastening necessary. This garment may be useful to busy mothers running between errands, the kitchen, picking kids up from school, yoga, gardening, crafting, answering the door, getting the mail, and the like.

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

One example of a wrap-around garment 100 that may not require fasteners, in accordance with the present approach, may be shown in FIG. 1 and may involve a three-part wrap over-wrap garment construction. In some embodiments of wrap-around garment 100, three material panels 110, 120 and 130 are attached (e.g., via stitched) together, though other examples may involve fewer or more panels of material; wherein in this context “material” may be in reference to a fabric and/or a textile. In some embodiments, a first-panel 110 may be attached to a second-panel 120. In some embodiments first-panel 110 may be attached to a second-panel 120 along a first-seam 118. In some embodiments, second-panel 120 may be attached to a third-panel 130. In some embodiments, second-panel 120 may be disposed between first-panel 110 and third-panel 130. In some embodiments second-panel 120 may be attached to a third-panel 130 along a second-seam 128.

In some embodiments, a width of first-panel 110 may be substantially the same as a width of second-panel 120. In some embodiments, first-panel 110 and second-panel 120 may be sized and shaped substantially similarly to each other, aside from decorative elements. In some embodiments, a width of first-panel 110 and a width of second-panel 120 may be greater than a width of third-panel 130. In some embodiments, a size of third-panel 130 may differ from a size of first-panel 110. In some embodiments, the size of third-panel 130 may differ from a size of second-panel 120.

In some embodiments, a length of first-panel 110, a length of second-panel 120, and a length of third-panel may be substantially the same. In other embodiments, these lengths may be differ.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, first-panel 110 may have a first arm hole or sleeve 112 formed therein. In some embodiments, first-panel 110 may have first arm hole or sleeve 112 formed therein but not on or at an edge of first-panel 110. In some embodiments, first-panel 110 may have first arm hole or sleeve 112 formed therein but not on or through a seam of first-panel 110; although a perimeter edge of first arm hole or sleeve 112 may be sealed, e.g., by a seam. In some embodiments, a second arm hole or sleeve 122 may be formed between first-panel 110 and second-panel 120. In some embodiments, second arm hole or sleeve 122 may be located in a portion of first-seam 118. In some embodiments, a third arm hole or sleeve 132 may be formed between second-panel 120 and third-panel 130. In some embodiments, third arm hole or sleeve 132 may be located in a portion of second-seam 128. In some embodiments, second arm hole or sleeve 122 may be disposed between first arm hole or sleeve 112 and third arm hole or sleeve 132.

In some embodiments, such arm holes and or sleeves (e.g., 112, 122, and/or 132) may be sized and/or configured to removably receive a portion of a human arm. In some embodiments, when wrap-around garment 100 may be lying flat, arm holes and or sleeves (e.g., 112, 122, and/or 132) may be substantially in a straight linear line with each other. In some embodiments, when wrap-around garment 100 may be lying flat, arm holes and or sleeves (e.g., 112, 122, and/or 132) may be substantially collinear with each other.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, a first slit pocket 116 may be formed between the first-panel 110 and second-panel 120. In some embodiments, first slit pocket 116 may be located in a portion of first-seam 118. In some embodiments, an opening to first slit pocket 116 may be located on the portion of first-seam 118. In some embodiments, first slit pocket 116 may extend into a direction of first-panel 110. In some embodiments, first slit pocket 116 may extend into a direction of second-panel 120 (embodiment not shown in the figures). In some embodiments, a second slit pocket 136 may be formed between second-panel 120 and third-panel 130. In some embodiments, second slit pocket 136 may be located in a portion of second-seam 128. In some embodiments, an opening to second slit pocket 136 may be located on the portion of second-seam 128. In some embodiments, second slit pocket 136 may extend into a direction of third-panel 130. In some embodiments, second slit pocket 136 may extend into a direction of second-panel 120 (embodiment not shown in the figures).

In some embodiments, wrap-around garment 100 may be worn by a wearer putting their left arm into the first arm hole 112 and their right arm into the second arm hole 122 so that the first-panel 110 at least partially covers a back side of the wearer's body. Then, second-panel 120 may be wrapped around a front of the wearer's body and the wearer inserts their left arm through the third arm hole 132 to removably secure wrap-around garment 100 on the wearer's body. In this configuration, third-panel 130 may drape across a portion of the back side of the wearer's body and/or drape across a side of the wearer-s body. Thus, wrap-around garment 100 may be secured by its three-part construction and the arm holes (e.g., 112, 122, and/or 132) with no need for additional fasteners or belts.

In some embodiments, wrap-around garment 100 may transform easily from in-home apron or smock to a dress with no fastening necessary, e.g. no zippers, snaps, buttons, ties, for busy people running between errands, the kitchen, picking kids up from school, yoga, gardening, crafting, answering the door, getting the mail, and/or the like. A belt or the like may be used for aesthetic purposes, but is functionally unnecessary.

Note embodiments, of wrap-around garments may be constructed of more or fewer panels than the three panels shown.

In some embodiments, the garment may be produced using a single quadrangle of fabric (material or textile), in which case the three panels may be viewed as three portions or regions of the single quadrangle. In such embodiments, first-panel 110 may be first-region 110, second-panel 120 may be second-region 120, and third-panel 130 may be third-region 130. In such embodiments, arm holes or sleeves (e.g., 112, 122, and/or 132) may be as described above for wrap-around garment 100. In such embodiments, pockets (e.g., 116 and/or 136) may be as described above for wrap-around garment 100.

Also, in some embodiments, the arm holes or sleeves (e.g., 112, 122, and/or 132) may be formed in different positions in the given wrap-around garment than the positions shown in FIG. 1A. For example, the first arm hole 112 may be formed entirely in the first-panel 110 or entirely in the second-panel 120. Likewise, the second arm hole 122 may be formed entirely in the second panel 120 or entirely in the third panel 130.

FIG. 1B may illustrate an interior-surface 138 of wrap-around garment 100 showing arm holes (e.g., 112, 122, and/or 132) formed to removably receive at least a portion of the wearer's arms.

FIG. 1C may illustrate wrap-around garment 100 folded in a manner similar to a configuration when worn by the wearer, where one panel (e.g., first-panel 110 not shown in FIG. 1C) covers the wearer's back, a second or middle panel (e.g., second-panel 120 shown in FIG. 1C) may substantially cover the wearer's front, and a third panel (e.g., third-panel 130) may drape (hang) over a portion of the wearer's back and/or side.

FIG. 1D may illustrate wrap-around garment 100 with a decorative belt 140 wrapped around a waist area of wrap-around garment 100. Recall, such a decorative belt 140 may be unnecessary to removably fasten (secure) wrap-around garment 100 to the wearer, when wrap-around garment 100 may be worn as described herein.

FIG. 1E may illustrate interior-surface 138 of wrap-around garment 100 showing arm holes (e.g., 112, 122, and/or 132) formed to removably receive at least a portion of the wearer's arms for securing wrap-around garment 100 to the wearer.

In some embodiments, sections, regions, and/or portions of material, fabric, textiles, and/or panels may be of a same or different types of fabrics. In some embodiments, sections, regions, and/or portions of material, fabric, textiles, and/or panels may be of natural fabrics. In some embodiments, sections, regions, and/or portions of material, fabric, textiles, and/or panels may be synthetic fabrics. In some embodiments, sections, regions, and/or portions of material, fabric, textiles, and/or panels may be natural and/or synthetic fabrics.

In some embodiments, attachment of sections, regions, and/or portions of material, fabric, textiles, and/or panels to another such section, region, and/or portion of material, fabric, textiles, and/or panels, may be via stitching, glues, chemical adhesive, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, solvent bonding, and/or the like. In some embodiments, where such attachments occur may define and/of form one or more seams.

Some embodiments may be a method wearing wrap-around garment 100. In some embodiments, such a method may comprise the following steps:

Step (a) wrap-around garment 100 receiving at least a portion of a wearer's first arm in a first arm hole or sleeve 112 of wrap-around garment 100;

Step (b) wrap-around garment 100 receiving at least a portion of the wearer's second arm in a second arm hole or sleeve 122 of wrap-around garment 100; and

Step (c) wrap-around garment 100 receiving the at least the portion of the wearer's first arm in a third arm hole or sleeve 132 of wrap-around garment 100 while the at least the portion of the wearer's first arm may still be received in the first arm hole or sleeve 112.

In some embodiments, such a method may further comprise a step of first-region 110 of wrap-around garment 100 covering at least a portion of the wearer's back, wherein this step may be executed between Step (a) and Step (b).

In some embodiments, such a method may further comprise a step of second-region 120 of wrap-around garment 100 covering at least a portion of the wearer's front; wherein the second-region 120 may be in communication with first-region 110 of wrap-around garment 100; wherein this step may be executed between Step (b) and Step (c).

In some embodiments, such a method may further comprise a step of draping (and/or hanging) third-region 130 of wrap-around garment 100 over at least a portion of the wearer's back; wherein this step may be executed after Step (c).

In some embodiments, wrap-around garment 100 may be worn as an apron/smock, for example, and without limiting the scope by: folding along first-seam 118 such that first arm hole or sleeve 112 and third arm hole or sleeve 132 substantially match up with each other; and then by the wearer inserting their arms into second arm hole or sleeve 122 and into arm holes or sleeves 112/132.

In some embodiments, wrap-around garment 100 may be worn as a dress, for example, and without limiting the scope by: the wearer inserting right arm into third arm hole or sleeve 132 and their left arm into second arm hole or sleeve 122, such that second-panel 120 is on the wearer's back; then folding first-panel 110 over (and substantially covering) the wearer's front torso; inserting the wearer's right arm in first arm hole or sleeve 112; and then allowing third-panel 130 to drape and/or hang over the wearer's back and/or right side.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and/or were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “having,” “including,” “containing” and similar referents in this specification and in the following claims are to be construed as open-ended terms (e.g., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely indented to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value inclusively falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation to the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in this specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to each embodiment of the present invention.

Wrap around garments have been described. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wrap-around garment comprising three arm holes or sleeves, a first arm hole or sleeve, a second arm hole or sleeve, and a third arm hole sleeve; wherein the second arm hole or sleeve is disposed between the first arm hole or sleeve and the third arm hole or sleeve, wherein when the wrap-around garment is removably worn by a wearer, the wearer's first arm is removably received into both the first arm hole or sleeve and the third arm hole or sleeve at a same time, while the wearer's second arm is removably received into the second arm hole or sleeve.
 2. A wrap-around garment comprising three regions, a first-region, a second-region, and a third-region; wherein the second-region is disposed between the first-region and the second-region; wherein the wrap-around garment comprises a first arm hole or sleeve located in the first-region for removably receiving at least a portion of a wearer's arm; wherein the wrap-around garment comprises a second arm hole or sleeve disposed between the first-region and the second region for removably receiving at least a portion of the wearer's other arm; and wherein the wrap-around garment comprises a third arm hole or sleeve disposed between the second-region and the third-region for removably receiving at least the portion of the wearer's arm that was also removably received by the first arm hole or sleeve.
 3. The wrap-around garment according to claim 2, wherein the first-region, the second-region, and the third-region are a first-panel, a second-panel, and a third-panel, respectively; wherein the first-panel is attached to the second-panel; wherein the second-panel is attached to the third-panel.
 4. The wrap-around garment according to claim 2, wherein the wrap-around garment further comprises a first pocket.
 5. The wrap-around garment according to claim 4, wherein the first pocket is located between the first-region and the second-region.
 6. The wrap-around garment according to claim 2, wherein the wrap-around garment further comprises a second pocket.
 7. The wrap-around garment according to claim 6, wherein the second pocket is located between the second-region and the third-region.
 8. The wrap-around garment according to claim 2, wherein the first-region and the second-region are sized and shaped substantially similar to each other.
 9. The wrap-around garment according to claim 2, wherein a size of the third-region differs from a size of the first-region.
 10. The wrap-around garment according to claim 2, wherein a size of the third-region differs from a size of the second-region.
 11. The wrap-around garment according to claim 2, wherein the wrap-around garment further comprises a removable belt.
 12. A method of wearing a garment comprising the following steps: (a) the garment receiving at least a portion of a wearer's first arm in a first arm hole or sleeve of the garment; (b) the garment receiving at least a portion of the wearer's second arm in a second arm hole or sleeve of the garment; and (c) the garment receiving the at least the portion of the wearer's first arm in a third arm hole or sleeve of the garment while the at least the portion of the wearer's first arm is still received in the first arm hole or sleeve.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises a step of a first-region of the garment covering at least a portion of the wearer's back, wherein this step is executed between steps (a) and (b).
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises a step of a second-region of the garment covering at least a portion of the wearer's front; wherein the second-region is in communication with a first-region of the garment; wherein this step is executed between steps (b) and (c).
 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises a step of draping a third-region of the garment over at least a portion of the wearer's back; wherein this step is executed after step (c). 